ANIMAS, N.M. (AP) — There is debate stirring in southern New Mexico’s Bootheel region where to build a new U.S. Border Patrol substation in the Animas Valley.

Border Patrol officials say it’s needed because agents [auth] must drive about two hours, one-way, from the nearest Border Patrol headquarters in Lordsburg to reach the border, which cuts into their daily patrol time.

Critics point out a preferred site pushed by the government is in a draw which is fed by two other arroyos. Each can carry significant amounts of water during a storm.

The Las Cruces Sun-News (http://bit.ly/mPtqHQ ) reports the base will hold a heliport, horse corrals and modular buildings capable of housing up to 16 federal agents.

The project gained serious momentum after the 2010 killing of a southeastern Arizona rancher.